Perera lifts second straight title, Lahiri finishes second

Defending champion Anirban Lahiri gave a spirited charge on the final round with a card of four under 68 but Sri Lankan golfer Mithun Perera came up with a resolute one-under 71 to win the PGTI Eagleburg Open, his second title in two weeks.

Perera signed off with a tournament total of 22-under 266 to register a three-shot win despite Lahiri’s brilliant show on the final day here.

Local favourite Lahiri secured runner-up position after ending up with a total of 19-under 269.

Perera (65-66-64-71) and Lahiri (68-65-68-68) were involved in a very keen contest today with a few twists and turns.

Anirban made all the moves on the first 11 holes with five birdies against a lone bogey to overcome a huge six-shot deficit and draw level with Mithun, who had only two bogeys to show on that stretch.

Lahiri landed it within five feet on the second and sixth and converted 10 to 12 feet putts on the fifth and 11th.

Mithun, on the other hand, struggled with bogeys on the ninth and 11th where he had a poor approach shot and a bad bounce respectively.

It was then a see-saw battle over the next three holes as Lahiri made bogey-birdie-bogey. The match swung decisively in Perera’s favour when he made an eagle on the 15th that gave him a three-shot advantage with three holes to play. Mithun played his shot of the tournament when he holed his third from 110 yards for eagle on the 15th.

Lahiri did manage a birdie on the 17th but it was too little too late as Perera sealed it with a magnificent approach for birdie on the final hole.

Mithun thus bagged his fifth professional title and ended Anirban’s golden run of four wins from four starts on the PGTI on the latter’s home course. Perera has now shot a total score of 22-under in two successive events.

“This is my second title on the trot and I’m very pleased about that. Competing on the PGTI in the last few years has really helped my game as I have grown in confidence playing in different conditions in India and against some of India’s top players. I hope I can carry this form on to the Asian Tour as well.”